The director of the Punjab Engineering college, said that nearly 70 per cent of the students in technical institutes across the country are unemployable and lack the required technical knowledge.

“The industries have to fill the vacant posts to function properly. Thus the placements of all institutes are high. Atleast 50 per cent of the students may get placed in high ranking companies.” he said. He added that the lack of students, with knowledge about the subject was one of the issues discussed by the National Knowledge Commission on Tuesday.

The commission felt that the education system must be made conducive to increase the knowledge level of students.

PEC is encouraging more core companies rather than IT companies for placements. It is seen that the IT companies are conducting mass recruitment drives of the engineering graduates.

Dr Gupta said, “I want more students to be employed in core companies. However, these companies want technically sound students and hire some select students. It is the responsibility of the institutes to producing better quality students.”

He added that he will be quitting the PEC soon and had no plans to reconsider his decision.